I-595 Project Director Loses Post

Dot Chief Cites Poor Public Image

February 5, 1987|By MICHAEL LASALANDRA, Staff Writer

Bruce Seiler said Wednesday that he was ``shocked and surprised`` at being replaced as head of the Interstate 595 project, considering his job performance was rated as ``commendable`` as recently as December.

Seiler, 43, who had been the I-595 project director for the past two years, was demoted to the job of district planning administrator by Department of Transportation District Chief Bill Fowler.

In making the switch, Fowler cited what he called a public perception that Seiler was ``immature, arrogant and confrontational.``

Fowler made the change less than a week after he was reappointed as district chief by new state Transportation Secretary Kaye Henderson.

In the final analysis, Fowler said, it came down to replacing Seiler or risk losing his own job.

``Ultimately, my performance is going to be measured by the people I have on my team,`` he said. ``I felt changes had to be made now or somebody else would be running the whole district.``

The change also is seen as a way for the district office to gain control over the massive I-595 project, which had its own task force under Seiler. The $1.2 billion project is the biggest in the state and the country`s second-biggest.

``Now I can be held responsible and accountable and have better control,`` Fowler said.

The I-595 Task Force had its own staff and didn`t need the resources of the district office. It reported to the Tallahassee office as well as to Fowler.

With Seiler`s demotion, it is being run by officials of the district office. Don Henderson, named to replace Seiler, is a 16-year department veteran who works under Jim Chandler, district office director of operations.

Chandler and Seiler had been in a power struggle for some time, sources said.

In Fowler`s evaluation of Seiler in December, he listed Seiler`s strengths: ``Positive, can-do attitude. Sense of responsibility. Energy and drive. Loyalty to agency.``

But Fowler`s comments in assessing Seiler`s development needs tipped off what was to come: ``Learn to deal more effectively with media and elected officials.``

Fowler said on Wednesday, ``I still think Bruce has a lot of good qualities. He works hard and is conscientious. He has a lot of ability in the areas of planning and traffic operations. I`m not mad at Bruce. I`m not trying to be vindictive. I`m trying to better match up his skills.``

Fowler`s evaluation added: ``Bruce could profit from lateral assignments and cross-training with the other district divisions before assignment to position of higher responsibilities.``

Seiler aspires to be a district chief or even state transportation secretary, according to the evaluation.

On Wednesday, Seiler refused to discuss why he had been demoted. ``It`s Mr. Fowler`s decision,`` he said. ``He`s the boss.``

But Seiler seemed to find it hard to understand the decision. ``The project is going well,`` he said. ``I think I`ve done a good job.``

Seiler, who made $56,000 as I-595 project manager, will take a $5,000 pay cut in his new post, where he will plan road projects for Broward, Palm Beach and five other counties in the district.

He will be replaced by Henderson, 43, the current district planning director, effective immediately. ``Don can mediate some of these issues,`` said Fowler, who complained that Seiler angered both residents and elected officials and left them feeling the department was ``cramming projects down their throats.``

Fowler also announced that Pat McCann, Fort Lauderdale construction engineer, will be promoted to I-595 construction chief, replacing Paul Mitchell, who was transferred last month.

According to Fowler, there may be more changes in the district office. ``There may be a domino effect,`` he said. ``I haven`t decided yet.``

Seiler`s dealing with two recent issues may have helped bring about his downfall. He clashed often with Richard Mooney, expansion director at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, over the new airport bridges which are a year late. They are being built under the I-595 project.

Mooney on several occasions had to go over Seiler`s head to Fowler to get things accomplished on the bridge project.

Seiler also angered Fort Lauderdale city officials when he said they would have to accept a controversial detour plan in connection with the rebuilding of the State Road 84/Interstate 95 interchange.

But Fowler said he had no outside pressure to get rid of Seiler.

``Nobody came to me and said `get rid of this guy,` `` Fowler said. ``I did some checking on my own. I was getting too much negative feedback.``

Fowler said the public`s negative perception of Seiler, while not necessarily accurate, ``is the same as if it were true. The perception is the reality in this case. And I can see how they can get that perception. One of the problems I had with Bruce was that I could never get a hold of him on the phone.``

According to Steve Liner, transportation department spokesman, ``This is as much of an accommodation for Bruce as it is for the district. Now he can concentrate on the things he does best.

``He did a great job on I-595, but there were some problems. He told me several times that he was frustrated.``

Although hurt, Seiler seemed to agree.

``It could turn out to be a very positive thing,`` he said, ``although this is not the way you want to leave.``